Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Salad

Cold salads are in order for the summer.  I'm always looking for new ways to prepare Quinoa.  This is a sweet version that will knock you out, baby!  I used sweet apples and dried cranberries, as well as celery and walnuts for crunch.   Celery does not provide much nutritional value, but it adds the perfect amount of crisp with the apples and chewy craisins.  To read more about Quinoa, look here.

**I garnished with Chia seeds.  Nutty-tasting, whole-grain Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, and they have among the highest antioxidant activity of any whole food -- even more than fresh blueberries.  They are an excellent source of dietary fiber and help keep blood pressure and blood sugar under control.   Unlike flax seeds (which you should grind to get full nutrition), Chia seeds can be left whole.

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Ingredients:

1 cup of water
1 cup of apple juice (a good brand with no HFCS, please)
1 cup of quinoa, *rinse well
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped celery, about two stalks
1 apple, coarsely chopped
Pinch of sea salt
Chia seeds for garnish (optional)

In a pot, boil rinsed quinoa, water, apple juice, cinnamon and salt for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.  Cool in fridge for 1 hour.   Take out of fridge and fluff with a fork.  Add apples, walnuts, cranberries and celery.  Mix and eat!  Good alone or on a bed of lettuce.

*Why should you rinse quinoa? Quinoa produces a natural coating called saponin. This protective coating makes the seeds taste bad and may cause indigestion.  Fortunately, you can easily rinse the saponin off your quinoa before cooking.

This recipe is shared on Amee's Savory Dish Fit & Fabulous Fridays: